Report of EatSafe Launch in Nigeria with next steps

The project focuses on the consumer, recognizing that consumer demand can drive the supply of safe foods in Nigeria. EatSafe seeks to gather knowledge on consumers' and food vendors' values and perceptions of food safety, as well as the gendered roles that govern food safety-related behaviors. This knowledge will be used to develop interventions to improve food safety for consumers and vendors selling and sourcing foods in informal markets in Kebbi State. The objectives of the EatSafe launch were to introduce the project to key stakeholders, create opportunities for networking and collaboration, foster commitment of government leaders and stakeholders, and facilitate networking among stakeholders. The launch was held on December 3, 2020, at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja, and was organized by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in collaboration with USAID. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that foodborne disease is responsible for over 600 million illnesses and 420,000 premature deaths globally each year. In Nigeria, unsafe food results in an estimated 173 million cases of diarrhea due to foodborne illness, and approximately 33,000 deaths. Kebbi State, an agrarian state with diverse animal and plant-based food products, still battles a high level of malnutrition and food insecurity alongside foodborne diseases. An estimated 61% of children in Kebbi State are stunted, the highest rate in Nigeria. The EatSafe project aims to address these challenges by gathering knowledge on consumers' and food vendors' values and perceptions of food safety, as well as the gendered roles that govern food safety-related behaviors. This knowledge will be used to develop interventions to improve food safety for consumers and vendors selling and sourcing foods in informal markets in Kebbi State. The project seeks to create an enabling environment for food safety, including creating appropriate policies, regulations, incentives, and connecting the public and private sectors, as well as NGOs, to operate in the same regard. The launch of EatSafe in Nigeria was attended by key stakeholders, including the Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire. The Governor commended USAID for its support to Kebbi State and highlighted the challenges affecting safe and nutritious food, including poor packaging, lack of storage/preservative facilities, and lack of capacity building for food handlers and vendors. The Honorable Minister emphasized the constitutional responsibility of governments to ensure the health of citizens and the importance of prioritizing health-related issues, including promoting safe nutritious food. The EatSafe project is aligned with the National Policy on Food Safety and its implementation strategy, which aims to ensure that communication and educational tools for consumers are available to communicate essential and vital messages of food safety. The project seeks to mainstream food safety into policies of Health, Agriculture, Trade, and Environment, and to focus on both the formal and informal markets to truly protect consumer health.